Eric was hired out of college as a reporter for the Freedom City Times, and hailed as the best reporter on staff. Per the psychological evaluation records Aurélie pulled from the Times database, he grew gradually more displeased with his job and more depressed over the years until he finally walked out upon being offered a promotion.

He grew more eccentric over the years, his look becoming more disheveled and lazy until he began regularly wearing a wetsuit with his fedora. It has since been discovered that the eccentric behaviors are connected to a point in time where High Justice stole his body and with it much of his powers. The body that was then transferred to Eric Gardner is gangrenous causing a long term death sentence to Eric Gardner.